Gluten-Free Diet: Alternatives to Wheat in Menu Planning

If you suffer from celiac disease or a milder form of wheat intolerance allergy, planning a menu can become significantly more difficult. However, with growing numbers of people reporting some level of food allergy symptoms (wheat & being allergic to peanuts being quite common), it's becoming easier than ever to eat well without feeling too restricted.

Cutting Out the Wheat when allergic to wheat

Here are some alternatives to wheat to build a healthy, delicious, and gluten-free diet around. And of course, we recommend that you see a gastroenterologist as well,  since these doctors specialize in celiac disease and are the best ones to diagnose it.

 

Rice Flour

Rice flour is an excellent alternative to traditional wheat-based flours. This fine, starchy flour can thicken sauces and soups and is also a great substitute for using in baked goods. Just like wheat flour, rice flour's mild flavor will not overpower your dish.

Corn Tortillas

In Arizona, corn tortillas and authentic Mexican tortillas can be found everywhere, at any grocery store. Plus, these easy-to-find snacks are extremely affordable. Corn tortillas are a great alternative to flour-based wraps and breads. The sweet, earthy flavor complements just about anything, so you needn't stick to eating these only when making Tex-Mex food!

Baked Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips are a delicious gluten-free snack on their own. With a bowl of salsa or guacamole on the side, you can have a yummy snack that will satisfy your cravings. Tortilla chips are also extremely versatile in the gluten-free kitchen. Crushed tortilla chips make an excellent breading alternative for dishes like fried chicken and coconut shrimp. Plus, ground tortilla chips can work as a thickening agent for sauces and soups while offering a slightly sweeter flavor than flour.

 

Quinoa Pasta

Up until recently, those who avoided gluten had a difficult time finding an alternative to wheat pasta in the grocery store. However, quinoa pasta is now widely available in major outlets across the country. Quinoa pasta requires about the same cooking time as traditional wheat pasta, and its flavor and texture is basically indistinguishable from the original.

  

Brown Rice

Brown rice is an excellent and nutrient-rich alternative to gluten-filled side dishes. You can enjoy brown rice on its own or use flour produced from it to make breads and pastas.

 

Popcorn

 Popcorn is a delicious gluten-free snack that is extremely filling without necessarily being heavy on the fat and sugar. With just a little salt and olive oil, a big bowl of popcorn can be deeply satisfying.

 

Tamari Sauce

Many people are unaware that soy sauce contains gluten, which when combined with the ubiquitous noodles can make Chinese food a minefield for wheat allergy sufferers. Luckily, there is an alternative to soy sauce called tamari. Like soy sauce, tamari adds deliciously savory 'umami' flavor to any dish, yet contains no gluten whatsoever. If you're an avid sushi or oriental food lover, tamari will be your new best friend.

 

Gluten-Free Oats

If you like your morning oatmeal, gluten-free oats provide the same texture and flavor as the traditional version. Plus, these oats can serve other purposes as well. For instance, if your meatloaf recipe calls for breadcrumbs, gluten-free oats make an excellent substitute.

 

Suffering from a wheat allergy can make life complicated in the kitchen, but if you want to avoid the unpleasant or dangerous symptoms, then it's essential to cut out gluten completely. Luckily, these days there are many alternatives, and so there's no need to feel your enjoyment of food is being restricted by your dietary requirements.

“This blog originally posted @ https://allergyarizona.net/gluten-free-diet-alternatives-to-wheat-in-menu-planning/ “

What is a Pollen Allergy

Call it what you will – pollinosis, a nasal allergy, or just plain “hay fever” – millions of people suffer from the effects of pollen every day. The affliction ranges in form from a small and short sniffling in the morning hours to full-blown sneezing fits throughout the day. The condition is irritating and aggravating but, rest assured, it is not life threatening.

What exactly is pollen?

Pollen grains are part of the male portion of seed plants. It is an integral part of the plant ecosystem around us and by its very nature is commonplace. In fact, without pollen, life on the planet Earth would not even be possible – so get used to the fact that it will be around for some time to come. This last fact does not mean, however, that human healthcare specialists are unable to deal with a pollen allergy in any meaningful way.

What can be done to alleviate an allergy to pollen?

Healthcare professionals have developed a number of effective remedies but it really takes a specialist to recommend the most effective one. In particular, you may be prescribed antihistamines or decongestants to start, nasal corticosteroids if these first two do not prove effective or an ipratropium or a leukotriene modifier. If these medicines do not solve the problem, an allergy specialist may finally resort to immunotherapy administered by injection.

This information is of more than passing concern to any resident of the Phoenix area who is even mildly allergic to pollen. In fact, it is integral to their well-being. Keep it in mind whenever you have an allergic reaction to pollen and if you do need more information on the basics of pollen, why it provokes an allergic reaction and how best to treat it, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates. We can be booked online, or reached directly at 602-242-4592.

Are you Allergic to the Arizonan Olive Tree?

According to Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, stuck her magic spear into the ground and it turned into an olive tree. Throughout history the oil produced from olives has sustained people in arid climates. The olive wood is beautiful and wonderful for sculptures. The olive branch is a well-known symbol of peace…   So, what's not to like in an olive tree?

                                                             Pollen.

Every spring olive trees produce clouds of pollen in the dry Arizona climate. The trees love it here. The desert is the perfect climate for them. They are beautiful, adorning landscapes of homes and businesses throughout the Phoenix area. And every spring people all over Arizona start to cough and sneeze and suffer from clogged sinuses because of allergies to the pollen.

What are the symptoms if you have allergies to olive trees?

• Runny nose with mucus production and irritation of the nasal membranes, causing sneezing.
• Head congestion
• Headaches
• Red, irritated eyes, sometimes with swelling of the lids or even the membranes lining the eye itself
• Coughing and even wheezing
  
  

Olive tree pollen is one of the most potent allergens around in desert areas. Scientists h ave found 20 separate proteins in the pollen that cause allergic reactions. The problem is so severe that many cities, such as Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Amman, Jordan have placed a ban on the planting of new olive trees. But the older trees are still around since these trees can live for more than a century and are ornamental. www.reviewjournal.com/news/sneeze-breeze

Olive tree pollen can also cause the development of asthma as the pollen irritates the lining of the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs (also known as asthmatic allergies). The problem can even become life-threatening.

If you think you have an allergy to olive trees, you need to see a Board Certified Allergist ---someone with the training and knowledge necessary to treat this condition properly. Call our clinic today if you would like to learn more

Few Dangerous insects that cause allergies

With desert flowers, spring rain,it also means that the insects also come out of hibernation.  Tiny as they are, even the smallest insects can provoke a truly outsized reaction in an Arizonan if they sting a susceptible individual. The anaphylactic shock – allergy to you and me – that they cause can range from mildly irritating to downright deadly. For those with this particular disability, it pays to know what you are dealing with. Here is a quick rundown on the four most dangerous insects in this category which cause allergies in Phoenix that we treat often at our Phoenix allergy clinic

Household Pests

While most folks worry the most about insect bites in the “great outdoors,” the majority of insect bites are actually inflicted upon humans inside the home. With their tiny bites, spiders, mites and fleas can trigger inflammations and rashes. In addition, cockroaches and other non-biting insects can leave detritus that will trigger asthma or asthma-like symptoms.

Stinging Insects

There are a whole panoply of insects – bees, yellow-jackets, hornets, stink bugs and fire ants to name just a few – that like to perpetrate their particular brand of nastiness on the human race. Each of their toxins is different but the results are usually the same. A cold compress applied to the puncture wound will fix most of these injuries but it is also good to keep a rescue inhaler on-hand just in case.

Biting Insects

Everyone has been bitten by a mosquito at one time or another. For some, it is a relatively minor inconvenience but for others, it is a far more serious situation. Similarly, the bites of bedbugs, fleas and certain flies are also painful and can potentially provike a life-threatening allergic event. Keep your linens laundered on a regular basis to avoid this problem

For more information on insect allergies and the best way to deal with an anaphylactic reaction to a sting or bite, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates. We can be found online at AllergyArizona.net or reached directly at 602-242-4592.